Landon Buford
There has been an ongoing discussion this year about Lou Williams, who has excelled in his sixth man role making the All-Star team at least once in his career. Over the course of his career, he is averaging 14.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists per game, 42.1 percent shooting from the field. This past season he averaged a career-high across the board with 20.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 42.5 percent shooting from the field.
During All-Star weekend some of his peers were asked their opinion on his whether he deserves to join them one day.
Here is what his former teammate Blake Griffin had to say to SBNation’s Farbod Esnaashari:
“There’s a lot of players that deserve to make it, but there’s only 26 guys. Unfortunately, some guys don’t get in. As players, that doesn’t change our perception of them.” As transcribed by Esnaashari.
Blake Griffin on Lou Williams or Jamal Crawford never becoming an All-Star: “As players that doesn’t change our perception of them.” #NBAAllStar #ClipperNation pic.twitter.com/10s5oFLU1Y
— Farbod Esnaashari ✪ (@Farbod_E) February 16, 2019
Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard gave a clear and honest answer to William being absent from the midseason festivities.
“He deserves it. There’s a lot of people that deserve it. If you’re an All-Star it doesn’t mean you’re one of the best players ever. There’s only 24 players that are able to play. They usually choose three players from the team that’s number one, or going down the line of star power, or who’s hyped up in the media.”
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Jamal Crawford recently spoke on the topic of a sixth man making the All-Star team one day.
“As far as the league goes, I hope that they start rewarding guys, who deserve to be All-Stars. As Sixth man because I thought I should have made it a couple of times and I think Lou should have made it last year. It is a double edge sword, we ask guys to sacrifice and come off the bench for the betterment of the team, but when coaches vote they say he is not a starter,“ said Crawford.
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Yesterday SBNation’s Ashley Nevel spoke with former Celtic, Jason Terry and asked him for his perspective on the matter.
“ Aw, 100 percent! No doubt about it, I think throughout my career, accepting the sixth man role and having that sacrifice knowing I could have started primarily on every team I was on. It pigeon-holed you into a spot like a reserve role. Now, I think if you look at the All-Star format is presented there should be a one-sixth man spot per conference on the All-Star ballot. Because these Sixth men are very valuable can easily be starters,“ said Terry.
